Use of path analysis as a statistical technique for the analysis of qualitative nutritional data

Abstract

The present study sampled 113 preschool children from Tompkins County (Ithaca, New York) Well Baby Clinics and their families to investigate factors affecting the dietary and the nutritional status of the children.

Twenty‐two percent of this population were determined to be anemic; 31 percent of the childrens’ weights and 27 percent of the heights fell below the twenty‐fifth percentile of the Boston Growth Standards.

Path analysis indicated that the variables exerting predictive influence of the dietary quality were those of sex, ordinal position, mother's employment status, education, and her nutrition education. The model developed accounted for greater than 50 percent of the variance in the dependent variable of dietary quality.